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Daily Devotionals
John Gossner's Treasury
We beseech you brethren, that ye increase more and more; and that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business. 1 Thessalonians 4:10-11.
These exhortations by the apostles are not superfluous in our day, for there are many who are prattlers, who talk much about Christianity but do little. Hence these words of the apostle are sacred to every true Christian, inasmuch as he does not imagine that he has already apprehended it, but he follows after and strives to become ever more perfect, more faithful, more zealous and industrious to increase in every respect, in his spiritual as well as in his temporal calling, and grow up unto Him in all things who is the Head. He understands how to combine quietude of heart with faithfulness in his calling and untiring industry. He who does not understand this, does not know the grace of Christ nor the power of the Gospel. He who is truly pious will not let himself be found by God or man otherwise than praying or working, or still better, both praying and working. He knows too well that idle talk even concerning good things dissipates the heart and leaves the soul empty and spiritless instead of filling it with unction. When the mouth babbles a great deal, there is certainly no grace and peace in the heart. A heart filled with the peace of God preserves its treasure, covers it up and works rather than talks. A twaddler, an idle, inactive person, is certainly no Christian, even if he talks of nothing else but the Bible and of Christianity, and much less when he talks of hidden and future things of which he is not informed, inasmuch as he only runs around with suppositions on a wild-goose chase in the fog. Paul says that only by being "quiet" and by working ought we to demonstrate our Christianity. Peter says that not much knowing and talking, but a meek and quiet spirit is precious in the sight of God, a man of heart and not one who is Christian only in tongue. Read the apostolic exhortations. Pray and examine yourself. Paul adjures and beseeches you to do it by Jesus Christ. Let yourself be moved thereby and refute in deeds the charges often made against piety. Show by your diligent and quiet conversation that the Spirit of Christ notwithstanding all its devotion and quietude, does not make us slothful and inactive.
Loving Jesus, gentle Lamb,"
In Thy gracious hands I am,
Make mo. Savior, what Thou art.
Live Thyself within my heart.
I shall then show forth Thy praise.
Serve Thee all my happy days:
Then the world shall always see
Christ, the holy Child, in me.
